Coupling or connecting device



United States Patent Office Z,7.5,537 Fatented Aug. 16, 1955 COUPLING OR CNNECTING DEVICE Richard W. Hofheimer, Cambridge, Mass.

Application Eecember 4, 1952, Serial No. 323,996

9 Claims. (Cl. 287-54) The present invention relates to coupling or connecting devices, and, more particularly, to coupling devices for securely connecting together transversely disposed cables, wires, rods, tubes and the like.

Such a coupling has a wide variety of application, for example, in furniture, erector toys, structural frames for racks or shelves and other devices where it is desirable to secure angularly disposed members.

lt is a principal object of the present invention to provide a simple and efficient means for assembling custom built frames with a minimum of tools, and without the use of soldering, welding, or brazing equipment.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide a simple and ecient means for building frames of a variety of shapes and sizes, which frames may be quickly and easily disassembled and the component parts reused to build other devices.

lt is still another object of the present invention to provide a highly improved coupling or connection for angularly disposed members.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coupling for connecting panels to bars or round stock.

lt is still a further object of the present invention t provide a coupling which simultaneously embraces angularly disposed members.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a coupling comprising opposed members movable toward and away from each other, and means for effecting the movement of the members, said means being movable toward and away from each other upon effecting the movement of said members.

'It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a coupling of the type described which is simple and durable, which is effective for its intended purposes, and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing in which are shown various illustrative embodiments of this invention:

Fig. l is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention and showing a plurality of members secured therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l and showing a cover for the device;

Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the device showing a plurality of members secured therein;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 2 and showing a means for securing a panel to the coupling.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the

coupling of the present invention, generally designated 10, comprises a pair of opposed members 11 and 12, which for the purpose of illustration are shown as of annular form. Extending inwardly from the outer faces 13 and 14 of the members 11 and 12, respectively, are tapering surfaces 15 and 16, which open through the inner surfaces 17 and 18 of the members. The tapering surfaces 15 and 16 form apertures 19 and 26, and when the members 11 and 12 are arranged with their inner surfaces 17 and 18 in facing relation with respect to each other, the apertures are in registry. Extending inwardly from the peripheral edges 21 and 22 of the members 11 and 12 are a plurality of spaced cut out portions 23 and 24 which open through the tapering surfaces 15 and 16 and the inner surfaces 17 and 18. While the cut out portions 23 and 24 are illustrated as semi-cylindrical in form, it is appreciated that the cut out portions may be of other shapes without departing from the scope of the invention. The cut out portions of the member 11 are arranged opposite the cut out portions of the member 12 for a purpose to be described hereinafter.

Arranged within the member 11 are a pair of members or plates 3u and 31 which are arranged in edge to edge facing relation with respect to each other. The plates 39 and 31 are conformably received within the member 11 and, for the purpose of illustration, are shown as being semi-circular in form. rfhe facing edges 32 and 33 of the plates 36 and 31, respectively, are shown as being spaced apart, and the peripheral edges 34 and 35 are beveled or tapered for sliding engagement with the tapered surface 15 of the member 11. By this construction, the plates 36 and 31 are enabled to move toward and away from each other while moving inwardly and outwardly with respect to the member 11.

The outer surfaces 36 and 37 of the plates 30 and 31, respectively, are provided with spaced recesses 38, 39, 40 and 41, which recesses are formed with central bores 42 and 43 opening through the inner surfaces 44 and 45 of the plates 30 and 31. Extending inwardly from the peripheral edges 34 and 35 of plates 30 and 31, respectively, are cut out portions 46 and 47 which are shown, for the purpose of illustration, as semi-cylindrical in form, and which open through the inner surfaces 44 and 45 and through the notches 48 and 49 in the facing edges 32 and 33. The cut out portions' 46 and 47 are arranged to communicate with and form extensions of the cut out portions 23. Extending inwardly through the outer surfaces 36 and 37 of the plates 3l) and 31, respectively, are the pair of notches or opposed cut out portions 48 and 49 which open through the facing edges 32 and 33 and also through the inner surfaces 44 and 45.

The cut out portions 23 and 24 are adapted to receive rod or tube stock 5t) therebetween, and the cut out portions 4-3 and 49 are also adapted to receive the rod or tube stock 51 therebetween. if the plates 39 and 31 are moved toward the member 1.2, the members 11 and 12 will be caused to clamp therebetween the stock. 5G and simultaneously, the plates 3i) and 31 will be caused to clamp therebetween the stoel; 51, the clamping action of the plates 3Q and 31 being in a direction transverse of the clamping action of members 11 and 12.

Within the member 12 are disposed a pair of plates 60 and 61 similar to the plates Si? and 31, and having their peripheral edges 62 and 63 beveled or tapered for sliding engagement with the surface 16 of member 12. Similarly, the facing edges 64 and 65 are movable toward and away from each other upon movement of the plates and 61 inwardly and outwardly with respect to the member 12. The plates 6% and 61 are formed with recesses 66 and 67 extending inwardly from the outer surfaces 68 and 69. Centrally of the recesses 66 and 67 are formed holes or bores 7% and 71 which open through the inner surfaces 72 and 73 of the plates 6% and 61. The plates 69 and 61 are also formed with cut out portions 74V and 75 which correspond to the cut out portions 46 and 47 and are arranged in registry with the cut out portions 24.

' Extending inwardly from the outer surfaces 68 and 69l of the plates 6) and 61 are cut out portions 76 and 77 whichopen through notches 74 V*and 75 of the facing edges 64 and 65 and the inner surfaces 72 and 73; The cut out'portions 76 and 77 are shown, for the purposes of illustration, as'semi-circular, are arranged in opposed relation with respect to each other, and are in alignment with the cutout portions 48 and 49 ofthe plates 30 and 31.

Extending through the bores 42 and 43 are threaded fasteners or bolts 80 and 81 which have their heads seated in recesses 38, 39, 4? and 41 Vand have their'other end extending through and beyond bores 70 and 71 and into recesses 66 Yandy 67. In the recesses 66 and 67 and threaded on the ends of bolts 80 and 81 are nuts 82and 83.

In operation, with the bolts 80 and 81 loosened, the

Y members 11 and 12 will be loosely spaced from eachV Y other, and the plates 39 and 31 are loosely'spaced from the plates 60 and 61. Also, with the bolts V8l) and 81 slightly loosened, the plates 30 and 31 will be freely shiftable toward and away from each other, as will the plates 60 and 61. Vlith the plates 36 and 31 shifted away fromeach other, the elongated member 51Y may be inserted'between the plates within the cut out portions 48 and 49, and may be further extended through the plates Y Y 60 and 61 within the cut out portions 76 and 77. While 'the member 51 is shown as a single rod or tubeextending Vthrough Yand beyond'theouter surfaces .of the plates two spaced members as desired. With the annular members 11 and 12 moved away from each other, and the Vplates 30 and 60 also moved away from each other, an

elongated member 50 may be inserted into the cut out portions 23 and 24 and 46 and 74. Similarly, the 'mem- Ybei' 90 may be inserted between the members 11 and 12,

. where less than the maximum number of openings 23,24 I

are occupied by such'rods or tubes. The same is true of openings 48, 49Y and 76, 77.V With elongated members in position, the bolts 80 and 81 are tightened to draw the members 3'0 and 60 toward each other, and likewise the members 31 and 61 toward each. other. This action will etfeetrmo'vernent of the members 11 and 12 toward each v'30, 31, 61? and 61, it isi'appreciated that4 the member 51 need not extend beyond the plates and may be formed of other to clamp the members 5t) and 90 rmly in position.

Simultaneously, the plates 36 and 31 will slidably engage the tapering surface 15 and be moved toward each other, as will the plates and 61, whereby the member 51Y will be firmly clamped in position. To release the clamped members from the device it is only necessaryV to loosen the bolts and 81.

Continuing to loosen the boltswill result in disassembly of the device, which may be desiredY for removing or replacing a component part.

' In many applications, it is desirable to have a coupling el'ement having particular surface ornamentation.

This may erasily'be accomplished in the instant case by utilizing the covers 100 as shown in Fig. 3. Y The covers Y100 serve to coucealnthe nut and bolt of the coupling and are provided with peripheral flanges 93 Vand 94 which embrace the members 11 and 12, respectively, to hold thercovers on the elements. Of course, the covers may be ornamented in any desired manner consistent with the article in which'it is used. Y Y

f it is desired to connect the tube stock 51 to a panel or plate 95, itis only necessary to substitute an internally The coupling.deviceY may be made of metal, plastic,VY

wood or any othersuitable material. From the foregoing it is seen that a 'coupling device is provided which is simple and efficient in operation, Ywhich does not require soldering, welding, or brazing, which may be used and reused indenitely, and which 'requires a minimum of tools.

. Although the horizontal rods are shown in the drawing to be spaced Aapart it will vbe understood that they may be spaced atV any desired angle'such as.l20 apart, 60, and the like.

Furthermore, it will be understoodalthough a pairof wedges areV shown to be received in each annular ring, more than two such wedges may be received therein.V

Although the vertical rod51 is shown to pass entirely through the ,coupling member, it will be understood Vthat one of the horizontal rods may pass entirely through the coupling member while the vertical rod may be replaced by one or a pair of vertical rods each projecting into the coupling member but not passing therethrough.

A dominant feature of the invention is the factY that Y when the wedges 30, 31, are drawn toward the Wedges 60, 61, the rings 11 and 12 are clamped against the hori- Y zontal rods 50, 90, 91, 92 and, at. thersame time, the Y wedges are pressed against the vertical through rod orY tube 51.

vIt is also apparent that a coupling Vdevice is.V provided which accomplishes its intended objects and which is adapted to meet practical conditions of use.'

It is understood that changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the device will occur .to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and purpose of the invention. tion to cover by the'claims appended hereto any modiiied forms of structure, of use,'and of equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

VHaving thus described my invention, I claim as newV and desire to secure by Letters Patent: 1. A coupling device comprising a pair of oppose members Varranged in facing relation with Vrespect t0 each other, Areleasable means for effecting movement Y of said members toward each other for clamping an ele'- ment arranged therebetween,'said means including two other pairs of opposed members, one pair being Within` each of the first Vopposed members and arranged there* in in facing relation with respect to each otherand movable toward each other, and means for movingthe members of eachof saidr other pairs of members toward each other for clamping an element arranged therebetween, upon operating said releasable means for e1ecting-movement of the rst pair of opposed members toward each other.

'2.A coupling device comprising opposed membersv arranged in facing relation with respect to each other, l' releasable means for effecting movement of said membersV toward each other for clamping an element arranged therebetween, said means including a groupVVV ofVV other opposed members within Veach of said rst 'op-Y posed members arranged in facing relation with respect to each other -and movable Vtoward each other, and means for moving the other opposed members of eachV group/towardeach other for clamping an element arranged ,therebetweenV upon actuating said relea'sable Y.

means to draw said rst opposed members toward each If the device is Vused in this Hence, vit is my inten-Y other, said other opposed members being movable 11ansversely of said first named members upon efecting movement of the iirst named members toward each other.

3. A coupling device comprising opposed members arranged in facing relation with respect to each other, releasable means for effecting movement of said members toward each other for clamping an element arranged therebetween, said means comprising two pairs of opposed members one pair arranged in facing relation with respect to the other within each of said first named members, and means for moving the members of each of said last named pairs toward each other upon actuating the releasable means for effecting clamping movement of said rst named members.

4. The combination of claim 3, said rst pair of opposed members having notches on their facing sides to receive said element therebetween, and said last named pairs of opposed members having notches to receive said other element therebetween.

5. A coupling device comprising opposed members arranged in facing relation with respect to each other, releasable means for eiecting movement of said members toward each other for clamping an element arranged therebetween, said releasable means comprising two pairs of opposed members arranged one pair each in facing relation with respect to the other Within each of said rst named members, means for drawing the members of each of said pairs toward each other upon actuating said releasable means for effecting the clamping movement of said rst named members, said draw means extending between adjacent members of said pairs of members for actuating the movement of said rst members toward each other.

6. In combination, a pair of coaxial annular rings formedl with tapered openings convergent toward a plane between said annular rings, a plurality of wedge shaped clamping blocks within each ring formed with outer tapering surfaces contacting the tapered surface of said ring, said wedge blocks being formed with complementary notches to form a through opening coaxial with said rings, to receive a rod passing through said coaxial opening, and means to draw the wedge blocks in one ring toward the wedge blocks in the other ring, whereby said rings will be clamped against the rods received therebetween and said wedge blocks will at the same time clamp the rod passing through said c0- axial opening.

7. The combination of claim 6, said annular rings being formed with complementary notches to receive rods therebetween.

8. The combination of claim 7, said wedge blocks being formed at their facing surfaces with notches in alignment with the notches in said annular rings.

9. The combination of claim 6, said drawing means comprising bolts passing through registering openings in said wedge blocks.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,507,316 Kemper et al. Sept. 2, 1924 1,809,408 Goeller June 9, 1931 1,918,607 Lindh July 18, 1933 2,243,687 Sutherland May 27, 1941 2,410,875 Segal Nov. 12, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 609,178 Great Britain Sept. 27, 1948 659,397 Germany May 2, 1938 

